Portrait of Sir Brian Tuke 1527

Here we see Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait of Sir Brian Tuke, created with oil on wood. Holbein, working in 16th century England, was deeply embedded in the court of Henry VIII, and his portraits offer insight into the social and political landscape of the Tudor era. This image presents Tuke, a prominent figure in the royal court, not merely as an individual, but as a carefully constructed representation of power and status. Note his clothing, his chain of office, and the inscription, 'Droit et Avant,' meaning 'Right and Forward', emblematic of his social position. Holbein's skill lies in his capacity to capture the material details of this world, but also to reflect the values of a society undergoing profound change. To fully appreciate this work, one might delve into archival records, exploring the lives and networks of those who commissioned and collected such images. Art history, in this sense, becomes a form of social history.